The crowds came out on a chilly Monday morning for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance Parade through downtown Hinesville.

With grand marshal Yvonne Woods, a retired longtime educator, leading the way, the parade stretched nearly an hour as it made its way on General Screven Way, Hendry Street and eventually Main Street.

St. James Community Church’s float won first place from the MLK Jr. Day Observance Committee, and Church of Christ Holiness Unto the Lord took second. Third place went to Tapestry Connections for a sickle cell anemia awareness-inspired float. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Promoting Unity as We Embrace the Dream.”